This week, we’re in the mood for smelling good so we thought we’d check out some of the best perfume factories in the world.
As Mother’s Day is fast approaching, it’s the ideal time to find out where you can see that perfect gift for mum being made. Or send her there!
Paris, France
When it comes to perfume, there is one country that springs to mind before any other – France. The French take their perfume-making as seriously as their wine or cheese making, creating some of the world’s best fragrances.
The big perfume manufacturers no longer use Paris as a base, but there are still plenty of small independent perfumers to visit. Check out Cinquième Sens in the North of Paris for tours and lessons in perfume making.
Grasse, France
But Paris isn’t the only perfume destination in France. It’s fair to say that Grasse, in the French Riviera, is the perfume capital of the world. The town is the centre of the French perfume industry, and is home to a number of perfume factories.
Fragonard is one of the most famous perfumeries in Grasse, and offers visitors the chance to take a tour around the historic factory.
Cologne, Germany
Cologne, in the west of Germany, was the location for one of the world’s oldest perfume factories – hence the generic term “cologne” that we use for perfume these days.
The town is home to the Farina Gegenueber – the perfume factory that was founded at the start of the 18th Century. The headquarters of the perfume company are still based in Cologne, as is the Fragrance Museum.
Muscat, Oman
If you fancy trying somewhere a little further afield, head to the centuries-old city of Muscat in Oman. Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, and home to the Amouage Perfume Factory.
Producing some of the world’s most prestigious fragrances, the Amouage Factory is considered a national treasure in Oman.
(Images: , Benh Lieu Song, zawtowers, Farina Gegenueber, yeowatzup)
